Benefits of Yoga

I work in a jail that houses 360 male and female(capacity0, and have responsibility for the JDC and the best part of my work week, is that I also teach Hatha Yoga and have for the past seven years. I was fortunate enough to be a certified Yoga teacher from jump, and then the county assisted in my attending a training in Chicago; The Prison Yoga Project with James Fox. James started in San Quentin about 17 years ago, check out the site for details. Anyway i am not here to plug the PYP, just to say I have experienced directly the transformation in many men and women.
Yoga isn’t about touching your toes, its about your own journey, getting in touch with yourself, learning about where you stop, how emotion pops up and how you handle it, how to calm yourself, how to feel good about yourself, how to see and facilitate transformation in yourself and others, in addition to helping with sleep, flexibility and strength..
I get so very much more from my guys than they ever give me. I discover that place that acknowledges their crime and sees their human side.
Namaste

The relaxation techniques incorporated in yoga can lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome. It can also help increase flexibility and muscle strength.192.168 ll

Historically yoga was more than just a method of teaching; it was a way of life. You dedicated yourself to a lifestyle and culture that surpassed meditation techniques and included healthy eating habits, bathing habits, social interaction and work. Its philosophy is rooted in a physical culture of health and well-being that is still emphasised today at yoga retreats and explains why over 15 million people in the world now practise this ancient tradition.

I don’t do yoga but physical activity in corrections is a must. Not only dose it help with the getting stiff from waiting for something to happen I find that my emotional state is much better when I am in shape and physically fit.

Yoga is also a very important grounding tool. It allows a person to reside in the here and now. This is vital for anyone suffering with anxiety issues; a thing that so many officers have to deal with daily.

Yoga keeps the body flexible and strong. It is also very beneficial for detoxing.

I agree – the practice of yoga makes meditation more achievable as we can quiet the mind through expending physical energy. I’m pretty new to yoga but have found considerable benefits already. There are so many different types of yoga that some initial research into what style you like best will save some time and money. N
Namaste.

Yoga through meditation works remarkably to achieve this harmony and helps the mind work in sync with the body. How often do we find that we are unable to perform our activities properly and in a satisfying manner because of the confusions and conflicts in our mind weigh down heavily upon us? Moreover, stress which in reality is the #1 killer affecting all parts of our physical, endocrinal and emotional systems can be corrected through the wonderful yoga practice of meditation.

In fact yoga = meditation, because both work together in achieving the common goal of unity of mind, body and spirit – a state of eternal bliss.
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Joni
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